Faylinn rolled her lips as she adjusted herself beneath the straps holding her down. She gave me an imperceptible shake of her head before the men in robes unlatched her and brought her back to our cells.
The whole time I watched, dumbfounded.
What in the name of the gods just happened?
Later that night,Faylinn and I had our hands clasped through the bars of our cell walls, just as we did every night. Our bodies were pressed against the metal, trying to get as close as possible. Her small breasts pressed through spaces in the bar, rubbing against my own bare chest.
But I felt no sexual attraction.
Only an intense need to touch her, to comfort her, to feel her skin on my skin and ensure she was safe. Whole.
“I’m okay, Lex,” she whispered, her chest moving against mine with every word, every inhale.
“But youweren’t.” We’d been having this argument for the past few hours, each of us stubbornly refusing to give in to the other.
She sighed before closing her eyes, her eyelashes dusting her cheeks.
“Lex,” she begged tiredly, but I shook my head.
“No, Fay. I watched you . . .die. I won’t survive that. I won’t.” It was a truth I felt all the way to the very marrow of my being.
“You may have to, Lex. I’m not sure how much more I can take.” My whole body tensed at her admission, and I pulled her hand hard, trying to pull her through the metal squares that separated us.
“Why do I feel like this?” I finally asked, and a small smile played on Faylinn’s lips.
“You’ve never heard of Blood Magic, have you?” she whispered, and I shook my head. Faylinn opened her eyes in time to see my answer.
She hummed.
“I thought not. It actually seems like most of the people here don’t know anything about Blood Magic.” The last thought was more said to herself, and I waited to hear her explanation.
“My little village. In the north?” she started, and I nodded my head to show I was listening. “We’re so close to the Ice Shelf. To the Northwoods. We put more stock in the old religion and more natural magics than our affinities. It’s nearly impossible for a little, remote fishing village to obtain the necessary crystals for their Mage population, so our people use their abilities sparingly. Instead, we use runes for things. Instead of an Earth Mage and Water Mage creating a small tributary of a river for crops, we use runes and blood to redirect the river for a time. Or instead of using an Air Shield, we inscribe a personal Protection Rune on our body.” Faylinn released my hand to rub at a faded mark on her left forearm.
“That is a Protection Rune?” I asked in awe.
She nodded and sighed before dropping her arm.
“Itwas. It wore off before I got here. It’s why they’re able to do what they do to me. If I had this activated, they wouldn’t be able to touch me.”
“So activate it again,” I practically growled at her, and Faylinn giggled quietly, her breath fanning across my face.
“It’s not that simple, Lex.”
I grunted.
It should be that simple.
“That doesn’t explain why I suddenly feel this . . .needto be near you. On top of you,” I growled.
Faylinn sighed again.
“Yes, I know. Bloodismagic, Lex, in its most primal and ancient form. It’s where wisps of power reside, where our affinity and affiliation originate from. Blood is powerful. And you”—she paused for a moment to stroke my face with her hand through the bars—“gave me some of yours. Willingly, I might add.”
“So what does that have to do with anything? I’d do it again,” I said, her touch soothing something in my chest.
“I know. And that’s why you’re feeling the pull that you do. Part of you, part of your magic, is currently inside of me. Fueling me. Keeping me alive. It’s natural that you would want to be close to it. It’s not a me thing, it’s a magic thing. A blood thing.” She never paused her stroking as she matter-of-factly delivered the explanation.
“It’s a you thing,” I grumbled, and Faylinn laughed quietly again.
